Gregory Kolovakos Award
ぐれごりー・ころゔぁこすしょう
Award established by PEN American Center in 1992 to recognize translators, editors, and critics who contributed to the dissemination of Hispanic literature in the English-speaking world, awarded every three years (1992–2004).
TranslationEditingLiterary CriticismHispanic Literature (English Translation)
- Established
- 1992
- Organizer
- PEN American Center (now PEN America)
- Category
- Research, Translation, and Scholarship
- Selection Method
- Selection
- Target
- Professional
- Frequency
- 3 per year
- Status
- Ended
Description
The Gregory Kolovakos Award was established in 1992 by PEN American Center (now PEN America) and awarded every three years from 1992 to 2004 to honor U.S. translators, editors, or critics who contributed primarily through Spanish-to-English translations to expanding the English readership of Hispanic literature. The prize is USD 2,000. Targets translations from Hispanic languages and outstanding editing/criticism accounting for cultural differences.
Prize
- Main Prize
- Cash prize (USD $2,000)
- Cash Prize
- 2,000 USD
Selection
Selection Process
| Stage | Judges | Pass Rate | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate Selection (Nomination) | PEN American Center's selection committee (details not publicly disclosed) | — | — |
| Final Selection and Winner Determination | PEN American Center's selection committee | — | PEN's official announcement (website and press releases) |
Candidate Selection (Nomination)
Judges
PEN American Center's selection committee (details not publicly disclosed)
Final Selection and Winner Determination
Judges
PEN American Center's selection committee
Announcement
PEN's official announcement (website and press releases)
Criteria
- Outstanding contribution to the dissemination of Hispanic literature in the English-speaking world
- Quality and expertise in translation, editing, and criticism from Spanish (and other Hispanic languages) to English
- Ability to understand and convey cultural differences (skill in recreating the richness of the original in English)
- Originality, sustained achievements, and influence in the field
Application Tips
Dos
- If nominated as a candidate, clearly demonstrate overall achievements in translation, editing, and criticism (representative works, publications, awards)
- For translations, provide original/translated text comparisons or samples and explain handling of cultural nuances
- Demonstrate sustained contributions to Hispanic literature and specific examples of its impact in the English-speaking world
- Attach letters of recommendation or editor evaluations (if possible)
Don''ts
- Do not apply or nominate based solely on one-off translations or minor achievements
- Do not submit without explaining translation intent and methods
- Do not exaggerate achievements or obscure sources
From Judges
- Emphasis on careful handling of cultural differences and efforts to recreate the original's voice and rhythm in English
- Desire to see balance in faithful yet readable recreation for English readers, beyond mere literal translation
- Evaluation of sustained contributions over years and substantial impact on the field
Related Awards
- PEN/W.G. Sebald Award
- PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award
- PEN/Steven Kroll Award
- PEN Emerging Writers Awards
- PEN/Amazon.com Short Story Award
- Renato Poggioli Translation Award
- Roger Klein Award (editing-related)
- PEN America Literary Awards (overview)